India and Pakistan have agreed to a ceasefire, looking for to finish probably the most critical navy confrontation between the nuclear-armed rivals in a long time – however stories of explosions in Indian-administered Kashmir hours after the deal revealed the scenario’s fragility
Hours after the ceasefire was introduced by Donald Trump following US-led talks, blasts have been heard in Srinagar and Jammu in Indian-administered Kashmir. Projectiles and flashes have been additionally seen within the night time sky over Jammu, in response to authorities, residents stated.
Indian overseas secretary Vikram Misri accused Pakistan of breaching the settlement, whereas Pakistan’s overseas ministry insisted they “stay dedicated to the ceasefire” and blamed Indian forces for initiating a violation.
The ceasefire got here after India and Pakistan accused one another of cross-border missile strikes in opposition to main navy targets on Saturday, with many fearful it might escalate into all-out struggle.
The combating this week was first infected on Wednesday after Indian missiles struck 9 websites in Pakistan, killing 31 folks. India has stated these strikes have been in response to an assault in Indian-administered Kashmir late final month, through which 25 Hindu vacationers and a information have been killed. India blamed the assault on Pakistani-backed extremists, an accusation Pakistan denied.
Just as the situation seemed to be spiralling out of control, the US president announced that a ceasefire had been agreed.
“After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform “Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence.”
This was soon confirmed by Indian and Pakistani ministers. Pakistan’s foreign minister Ishaq Dar told Geo News that three dozen countries had been involved in the diplomacy that secured the “full-fledged” and “not partial” ceasefire.
The Indian foreign secretary said the two countries’ military chiefs had spoken to each other and agreed that all fighting would stop at 5pm local time (11.30am GMT), without using the word “ceasefire”.
Mr Dar told the broadcaster Geo News that military channels and hotlines between India and Pakistan had been activated, and three dozen countries had helped to facilitate the agreement.
Mr Misri, India’s top diplomat, said the two military chiefs would speak to each other again on Monday.
Before the ceasefire announcement, military jets and missiles lit up the skies through the night across Indian-administered Kashmir and the state of Punjab, with residents reporting deafening blasts in cities including Amritsar, Jammu and Srinagar.
Shelling by Pakistani forces killed at the least 5 folks in Jammu and emptied out many villages alongside the border as folks fled to safer areas, officers stated.
“Jammu metropolis has by no means been hit earlier than,” Rajeev Gupta, 60, a resident whose brother was wounded in shelling, informed Reuters. “By no means thought we might be hit like this.”
In Srinagar, residents stated explosions in a single day felt not like earlier drone assaults and have been concentrated round navy installations.
Mohammed Yasin, a resident, informed the Related Press his youngsters have been shaken awake by the blasts. “They began crying,” he stated.
In Pakistan, officers stated Indian missiles had focused three air bases – Nur Khan in Rawalpindi, Murid in Chakwal and Rafiqui in Jhang district – early on Saturday. A navy spokesperson stated air defence programs intercepted many of the missiles and no air drive belongings have been broken.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that he and Vice President JD Vance had engaged with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif, Indian overseas minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Pakistan’s military chief Asim Munir, and the 2 nationwide safety advisers over the course of 48 hours.
In a publish on X, previously Twitter, Mr Rubio counseled Mr Modi and Mr Sharif on the settlement, which he stated included not solely an instantaneous ceasefire but in addition the beginning of talks on “a broad set of points at a impartial website”.
India and Pakistan have been locked in a dispute over Kashmir ever for the reason that partition of India on the finish of British colonial rule in 1947. Hindu-majority India and Muslim Pakistan each rule a part of Kashmir however declare it in full.
They’ve gone to struggle 3 times, together with twice over Kashmir, alongside quite a few smaller outbreaks of combating. India blames Pakistan for an insurgency in its a part of Kashmir that started in 1989 and has killed tens of 1000’s. It additionally blames Pakistani Islamist militant teams for assaults elsewhere in India.
Pakistan rejects each expenses. It says it solely offers ethical, political and diplomatic assist to Kashmiri separatists.
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